Trailer connection



Aug- 7 1945- f `w. J. TINER ET AL n 2,381,190

TRAILER CONNECTION Filed sept. 15, 1943 Patented Aug. 7, 1945 UNITED STATES l ,r

TENT oFFlcE 2,381,190 TRAILER CONNECTION Walter J. Tiner and Dick G. Phillips, Long Beach, Calif.

Application September 13, 1943, Serial No. 502,132

Claims.

draw them, and they are, in many instances, difiicult to handle or maneuver. When the ordinary or average trailer house, or trailer as we will term it, is attached to the average automobile by the usual means of connection, certain diiculties are experienced. For instance, the Vweight imposed on the rear portion of the automobile by the trailer overloads the automobile, partcularlythe springs and tires. In many instances trailers are connected with automobiles so that they'materially interfere with the handling or maneuverability of the automobile, and may even be dangerous. It is not uncommon for a trailer to cause sway or lateral forcev to be applied to the motor vehicle used to draw it to such an extent that the motor vehicle becomes out of control of the operator.

It is a general object of our present invention to provide a connection for trailers and motor cars or automobiles by which the principal load or vertical thrust of the trailer is taken by the connection so that it is not transmitted to the automobile. By our invention We provide `a connection having a pairof wheels which take the load of the trailer which is commonly communicated to the automobile.

Another object of our invention is to provide a connection of the character referred to whereby the'trailer is linked tothe automobile so that it follows or trails behind the automobile without exerting undue lateral forces such as might tend to throw the automobile out of control. With the device `of the present invention -the trailer will freely track or follow behind the automobile and there is no whipping or tendency to throw the automobile from side to side.

Another object of our invention is to provide aA trailer vconnection of `the character referred to which is extremely simple and inexpensive of manufacture. By our invention we have provided a dolly type of connection which involves a minimum number of simple, inexpensive parts, makingit extremely light and easy to handle. The fact that the device is made of few parts which are simple and inexpensive of manufacture is of commercial importance.

The various objects and features of our invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the trailer connection provided by our invention showing it in use connecting the forward portionof a trailer with the rear portion of an automobile. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevationof the connection shown apart from the trailer and automobile. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed View taken at the rear ofthe device, being a view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig.v 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional viewtaken as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a plan view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 3. 'l

lThe trailer connectionr or device provided by our invention is applicable, generally, for use in connecting trailers with motor vehicles. 'In its preferred form the invention is particularly suited for connecting the ordinary type of trailer with an average motor vehicle or automobile. In the drawing the device or connection A provided by our invention is shown connecting a typicaly trailer B with an ordinary automobile C. It is to be understood, of course, that the structure of the invention may bevaried as circumstances require, v

to accommodate it to variations in the trailer or in the automobile.

The device ofthe present invention includes7 generally, a draw bar or link 'I0 which serves as the principal element connecting the trailer and automobile, means II at the forward end of the y link to connect it with the automobile C, means I2 at the rear end of the link to connect it with the trailer B, an axle I4 disposed transversely under the rear end portion of the link, wheels I5 carried by the axle, an arm I6 provided to carry the axle, means I'I'pivotally connecting the arms I6 and the link to allow limited vertical movement of the axle carrying portion of the arm, means I8 connecting the arm I6 and axle I4 preferably inthe form of a tie plate, a tie plate` I9 correspondingto that of the means I8 connected, that is, applied t0 the rear end portion of the link I0 directly above the means I8, and spring means 20 arranged to act between the `means I8 and plate I9.

The link yIIl acts as a draw bar or coupling element between the automobile C and the trailer BI and in its preferred form it is in the nature of a beam or connecting rod. In practice We employ a single elongate member in the form of a channel iron arranged so that its web 2l is up while its flange 22 projects downwardly. The details of the link I may, in practice, be varied considerably depending upon the particular elements to be connected, that is, upon the trailer and the automobile. In practice it has been found that if the link is made about four feet long it issuitable for the average situation.

The means II provided at the forward end of the link IIJ to connect with the automobile C will, in practice, vary depending upon the particular form of connection employed. The usual connection used in cases of this kind is a ball and socket connection including a ball or spherical element supported on a stem carried by one of the parts to be connected and a socket carried by the other part to receive the ball. In the particular case illustrated we have shown a bracket 24 on the rear end portion of the automobile C and a stem 25 projecting upwardly from the bracket 24, which stem may be provided with the conventional ball. In the particular case illustrated the means I I provided to cooperate' with the parts on the automobile includes a bracket 26f1xed to the rear end portion of the link I0 and carrying a socket member 21 to receive the complementary part on the automobile. For simplicity of construction the bracket 26 is preferably formed of heavy sheet material such as sheet steel and is secured to the link II) by welding along thelines 29.

The means I2 provided at the rear of the link to connect the link with the trailer is similar, generally, to the means II except that the bracket 30 corresponding to bracket 26 instead of carrying a socket member carries a pin 3I provided with a ball 32 adapted to cooperate with a socket member 33 applied to the trailer B.. The bracket 30 may be welded or otherwise secured to the link I0 or, as is shown in the form of construction illustrated, to the plate I9 which, in turn, is secured to the link.

It is to be understood that our invention is not concerned with the details of construction of the connecting means H and I 2 and that the details illustrated are simply for purpose of example.

The axle I4 of the device is arranged transversely of the link III under the rear end portion thereof and is rigidly held in the transverse position through the structure hereinafter described. Further, the normal position of the axis is a suitable distance below the link III), as is` established through the elements hereinafter described.

The axle carries a wheel I5 at each end so that the wheels are symmetrically disposed with reference to the link I0. In practice any suitable wheel and axle construction, such as is common to motor vehicles, may beemployed in carrying out the invention.

The arm I6 is the principal element tying or connecting the wheel. carrying axle I4 'with the link III and it serves, vthrough the means I1 and I8, to connect the axle with the link so that the axle has limited vertical movement relative to the rear end portion of the link. In practice the arm I6 is preferably formed of a length of channel iron which may be `arranged so that its web 35 is down while its flanges 36 project up. It is desirable, in practice, to have the plate means I8, which connects the arm and axle, normally located in a substantially horizontal plane and for this reason the rear end portion Xof the arm is horizontally disposed. The main or forward portion Y of the arm extends forward and upwardly from the portion X to a point adjacent the link I0.

The means I'I provided for connecting the arm I6 with the link I0 serves to pivotally connect the arm I6 with the link I0, limits the downward pivotal movement of the arm relative to the link, and guides the pivotal movement of the arm. The means I'I includes flanges 38 xed to the sides of the link I0 to depend therefrom. The forward end portion of the arm part Y fits between the flanges and is pivotally supported bel tween the flanges on a pivotl pin 39 carried between the flanges. A web 40 extends between and connects the lower edges of the flanges 38 and forms a rest or stop limiting the downward pivotal movement of the arm relative to the link I0. The outer walls of the flanges 36 of arm I6 slidably t the inner walls of the flanges 38 so that the arm is guided between the flanges in the course of its pivotal movement, taking lateral strain off. of the pivot pin 39. The construction which we have provided for the means I'I is extremely simple and inexpensive of manufacture and is at the same time neat, compact, and highly practical and efficient in operation.

The means I8 provided to connect the arm I6 and axle I4 is in the form of a plate 4I resting on the central portion of the axle I4 and secured to and braced relative to the axle by means of suitable flanges l2V which depend from the under side of the plate and have openings which pass the axle. The rear horizontal portion X of the arm I6 bears on the top side of the plate 4I and is secured in position by welding 43 and is braced by suitable angle braces 44 disposed between the top of the plate 4I and the outer sidesv of the arm flanges 36. The plate 4I is sufficiently wide to project a substantial distance 40 from. either side of the arm I6 to bear along a til) considerable length of the axle I4 and to form shoulders or areas which act as rests 56 for the spring means hereinafter described. Further, the plate 4I projects. forward from the axle a considerable distance so that it has a long, effective connection with the portion X of the arm I6. The forward corners of the plate are preferably beveled or cut away, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the forwardly projecting portion of the plate is substantially triangular in plan configuration.

The plate I9 located at the rear portion of the link I0 is shaped to correspond to the plate 4I and is arranged. directly above the plate.4l to be in vertical register therewith and is xed to the link I0. by welding 60. In the preferred arrangement the plate I9 is fixed to the top of the beam so that it has overhanging portions 6I at either side of the beam opposite the parts 50 of the plate 4I. As` shown in the drawing, the

bracket 30 of means I2 is welded or otherwise secured to the top of the plate I9 opposite or above the link I0.

The spring means 2D preferably comprises two helical compression springs 10 arranged symmetrically at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the device so that there is a spring between each part 50 of the plate 4I and the corresponding part 6I of the plate I9. The springs 'I0 may be retained in proper operating position through various means. In practice we prefer to provide annular collars 'II on the upper sides of the parts. 50 of plate 4I and if necessary on the under sides of` part 6I ofv plate I9, so that they form sockets receiving the ends of the springs. Thecollars are preferably welded to the plates.

f When `the devicel isf assembled, asshown in the drawing.1the vmeans 'Il limits, the ldownward *.movement of vthe-arm IB relative tothe link I0 and does not allow the plates `to separatev so that the springs ycan escape fromthe ,collars1 l.

'v When the device is yinfuse ltheforward end of the link Ill is swive1lyconnectedr to ythe rearend .oftheautomobile C throughthe meansfIlv and the rear end of the link rIll `is swivelly'connected to the forward end gofthe trailer B through the.

means I2. This-,provides anfideal -draftmeans f whereby :the trailer-is drawnbehindftherautomobile B. It will be apparent from the', drawing that the load or :vertical thrust of the trailer B l istaken through the device that `we haveprovided so. that it is vcommunicated mainlvto' the desirable to locate vthe connecting means I2 slightly forward of the axle I4 so that there is a slight downward turning movement onthe linkV lil-causing some downward thrust to be applied to the rear end of the automobile C. This, however, is a'negligible force. insofar as the automobile is concerned.

During operationthe springs 20 'allow for suit-V ableV vertical movement orworking of the forward end portion of the trailer, this motion bebeing common and well known, We have not illustr'ated them in the present disclosure.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of our invention we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the `specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any variationshor modifications that may appearto those skilled in the art or fall within the'scope of the following claims:

Having described our invention, we claim: l. A device for connecting a trailer and a moing one end of the link to the` trailer, means for connecting the other end of the link to the vehicle, a rigid axle arranged transversally below therear portion ;of the link, spring means supr porting the rear end portion of the link from the axle, wheels on the end portions of the axle,

and an arm connected to the axle and extending upward and forward from the axle and pivotally connected to the link. y

2. A 'device for connecting a trailer and a motor vehicle including, alink, means for connecting one end of the link to the trailer, means for connecting the other end of the link to the vehicle, a rigid axle arranged transversally below the rear portionof vthe link, spring means supporting the rear end portion of thelink from the axle, wheelsv on the twoend portions of the axle, an arm se-curedfto the middle portion of the axle and extending forward and upward therefrom, and means pivotally connecting the fortor vehicle including, a 1ink,1means for connectthe,link,a nd axle, andan arm connected to the ",middleportion ofthe axle and extending upward andvforwardfromlthefaxle. ina vertical plane parallel withthe link and vhaving its forward end pivotally connected to thegli'nk on a transverse Ll. Aydevice .for connecting trailer and a mol tor vehicle including, a link, means for connecting one end ofthe. link to the trailer, means forconnecting the other end ofthe link to the vehicle, anaxle; arranged transversally below the 'rearvportion ofthe link, wheels, onl the outer end portions of the axle, a single central arm secured to the middle portion-of the axleand extending vwheels I5 of the' connection. In practice it is forward and upward therefrom to the link, spring means between the axle and the-rear. end portion 1ofthe arm including a compression springand means pivotally connecting y,the forward nendv of the arm to the linkon an axisjparallel withthe axle. g A,

5. A device for connecting a trailer and a motor vehicle including, a link, means for connect- `flanges depending from the link to receive the forward end of the arm between them toy brace it laterally, and a pivot pin extending through the flanges and arm.

6. A device for connecting a trailer and a motor vehicle including, a link, means for connect-l ing one end of the link to the trailer, means for connecting the other end of the link to the veward end of the armto thelink on an axis parv allcl with the axle.

3. A device for connecting a trailer and a motor vehicle including, an elongate link, means for connecting one end of the link to the trailer,

. means for connecting the other end of the link `to the vehicle, an axle arranged transversally ybelow the rear portion of thelink, wheels on the outer end portions of the axle, a spring between hicle, an axle arranged transversally below the rear portion of the link, wheels on the axle, anl

arm secured to the axle and extending forward and upward therefrom, and means pivotally connecting the arm and link on an axis parallel with the axle including flanges depending from the link to receive the forward end of the arm between them, a pivot pin extending through ythe flanges and arm, and a web connecting the flanges and acting to .limit downward pivotal.,

movement of the arm. i

'7. A'device for connecting a trailer and a motor vehicle including, a link, means for-connecting one end of the link to the trailer, means for connecting the other end of the link to the vehicle, a single axle arranged transversally below the rear portion of the link, wheels on the end portions Yof thetaxle, a plate secured to the middle portion of the axley below the link, a single central arm secured to the plate and extending forward and upward therefrom and pivotally connected to the link through a single pivotal connection, a second plate secured to the link above the first mentioned plate, and a spring between the plates. A

8. A device for connecting a trailer and a motor vehicle including, a link, means for connecting `one end of .the link to the trailer, means for connecting the other end of the link to the vehicle, a single axle arranged transversallybelow the rear portion of the link, wheels on the end portions of the axle, a plate secured to the middle portion of the axle below the rear end portion of the link, a single central arm secured to the plate and extending forward and upward therefrom and having its forward end pivotally conthe rear portion of the link, wheels on the outer end portions of the axle,` a plate secured. to the middley portion of the axle, a. single central arm rigidly secured tothe plate andext'ending forward and upward therefrom and having its forward end pivotally connected"y to the link, a second plate secured tov the rear end' portion of the link above the-first mentioned plate, helical compression springs between the plates, and'v collars on one of the plates holding the springs against displacement.

'10Q A device for connecting a trailer and a motor vehicle including, a link, means for connecting' one` end of the linkl to the trailer, means for vconnecting the other end. of th'e link to the Ve..

hicle, an axlel arranged transversally below the rear portion of the link, wheels on the axle, a plate securedl tothe axle intermediate its ends, an arm secured to the plates and extending forward' and' upward therefrom, flanges. depending from the sides of the linklto receive the arm between them, a' kpivot pin extending through the flanges and'larm, a web connecting the `franges and limiting downward pivotal movement of the arm, a, plate secured to the link above the first mentioned plate, and helical compression springs between the plates.

WALTER J. TINE-R.

DICK G. PHILLIPS. 

